All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.It took four long years for Luke Havekes to complete his most recent projecta true tour de force Canadian chalet, wherein every detail inside reflects the designers passions as a traveler: masks collected on trips to Africa, prints and antique textiles from Japan and Italy, precious French tapestries, and a selection of rugs from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Custom furniture and upholstery complement this unique home, like the 14-seat dining table carved from a single slab of walnut and a pair of travertine cocktail tables in the living room with forged metal bases and hand-polished curved edges.In the library, a rosewood desk overlooks the garden and makes a perfect airy workspace. An unusual Victorian-style chair with a star motif is upholstered in rich burgundy velvet. A Fortuny chandelier completes the space.Havekes owns a large collection of antiques from various eras and places. Theres an Art Deco library table in the living room, a French mahogany dresser in the entryway, and a midcentury serpentine sofa in the principal bedroom. The square house is made of fir logs from British Columbia and was built in 1968, Havekes says. It had been abandoned by the previous owners for about a decade and it was certainly not in good shape. The challenge was to give it a new lease on life, preserving all the qualities and architectural features that made it and still make it original.In the guest suite, color abounds including thanks to the wallpaper. A pair of midcentury Italian lamps with custom lampshades sit on walnut bedside tables.The chalet is located in Quebecs Eastern Townships, which are about an hour from Montreal in a part of the province known for skiing, vineyards, and beautiful landscapes of rolling hills and breathtaking views. A small river flows through the property in all seasons of the year. Set on two floors, with a steep, sloping roof with huge cornices and small dormers, it is in a typical French-Canadian design. To add some more character and charm to both the exterior and interior spaces, I decided to bring in Adam Borowczyk, an architect from Montreal, Havekes says. Although the layout wasnt changed, major structural improvements were made. The upper floor was transformed from being cramped and narrow to airy and open. This resulted in a light-filled living space and the homes truly unique features.The suite evokes luxury and romance. A Venetian Fortuny silk lamp is the star. For the curtains, a custom fabric in a perfect shade, made from raw silk, stands out.The chalet, with its majestic and imposing appearance, seems to have always been there, just a stones throw from the river. The use of noble materials gives the renovation a timeless charm that will endure. In fact the finishes and home furnishings will likely look even better as they age. Havekes and his team have created an updated version of the original, which had remained untouched for decades but did require an expert touch capable of giving it an upgrade. The designer explains, The first few weeks living in the house were quite surreal, and although the interiors had largely been completed, it took almost another year to oversee the landscaping by Yarek Design.A practical built-in bar with a stone top at the back of the dining room is designed for entertaining and at the same time creates a pleasing symmetry. Above is a midcentury still life with an original plaster frame.A pair of restored Art Deco sofas flank the living rooms imposing brick fireplace. Custom metal and travertine coffee tables and custom lighting add interest to the space. The curtains are in a rich moss-green corduroy.Now, more than a year after the completion of the house, the results are truly amazing. The house can comfortably sleep more than 14 people and Ive hosted parties with more than 80 guests without a problem! Since the house fits into the context of the nature surrounding it, there are always new revelations and surprises. With each season, there are different perspectives. It is a very special house, and all the challenges and efforts needed to make it what it is today were worth it, Havekes says.Designer and homeowner Luke Havekes in the entryway with its custom metal railing and lime-washed walls. His French bulldog Yogi sits on an antique Victorian chair atop a hand-woven reed rug.A view of the symmetrical living room. A midcentury Italian marble lamps sit atop an Art Deco library table. Chinese sang de boeuf enamel vases are arranged in front of French Aubusson tapestries.The closing of the house to start its renovation occurred a few days before the Covid pandemic disrupted life in Quebec, and the entire world. A renovation that was supposed to take about a year ended up taking three times as long and the budget also tripled. The designer encountered countless surprises along the way, obstacles that took time and resources to overcome. Delays in the delivery of materials during the pandemic, as well as the harsh Canadian winter, meant that the site was closed for several months at different points, especially in the early stages. Havekess appreciation for the old house, however, provided motivation to persevere.The covered terrace is located near the living room and includes a monumental steel fireplace.The guest house and gymnasium feature unique post and beam work at the gable end of the porch.At the end of all the effort, the Canadian chalet has now been reborn as Havekess country home. After visiting other locations in the area, he fell in love with this beautiful paradise surrounded by nature. An avid gardener and lover of the outdoors, he transformed it into an ideal retreat to enjoy quiet domestic and creative pursuits away from the stresses of the big city.1/10The main entrance stands under a porch with the same reclaimed brick flooring used throughout the home. The doors are painted in a pistachio shade from Farrow & Ball.2/10In the lounge space, a discreet bar hides in the cabinets alongside a refrigerator and other appliances for serving guests.3/10A custom chandelier hangs from beamed ceilings, which add depth to the dining room. The custom table is made from a slab of walnut, and the large vintage Persian carpet comes from the Arak region.4/10An island done in Italian marble worktop is the centerpiece of thekitchen. The wooden cabinets were handcrafted by a local atelier.5/10A pair of intaglio prints and antique lamps flank the oven, which is Italian-made in a butter yellow enamel.6/10A whimsical corner on the ground floor displays a collectionof curiosities and decorations. The doors are made of reclaimed slate and the vintage coffee table is hand-carved.7/10Volumes abound in the stairwell, where lime walls add texture and a collection of African masks draws the eye upwards. The stair runner is a hand-woven Oushak carpet and the Aubusson tapestry is of French origin.8/10The guest suite on the ground floor features a richly colored antique Turkish rug. The four-poster bed and striped wall coverings add drama to the room.Knowlton House, Montreal. Interior design: Luke Havekes. Architettura Adam Boroczyk e Marie Farmer Atelier Ur. Architettura del paesaggio: Yarek Design con Naturart. Photo Marc Oliver Becotte, courtesy Luke Havekes Design.9/10In the guest bathroom, a custom wood vanity with solid limestone sink stands in front of expansive garden views. Antique sconces with caramel glass lampshades accent the greenery outside.10/10Just outside the greenhouse, a nursery nurtures a selection of vegetables, fine herbs, and flowers.